Comet Connection
Kellogg Middle School Newsletter | September 2018
Dear Kellogg Parents,
As a veteran middle level teacher and leader (and a surviving parent of my own young adolescents), I know the ups and downs of the middle school years well! Did you know that between the ages of 10-14, brains and bodies are developing nearly as rapidly as they did from ages 0-3! Because all parts of brains and bodies mature and grow at different rates, sometimes we see strange and unpredictable behaviors and emotive responses in our previously angelic 10-year-olds. But that’s normal development! I sometimes hear people blame young adolescent behaviors on a school or home environment, but most likely, it is just a sign of the maturation process! Even though some days you might look at your 12-year-old and think they will NEVER grow up . . . they will! Your little darling of yesteryear will be a highly-functioning teenager before you know it! In the meantime, we are happy to be part of your journey!
So how can you survive these years?
- Be aware of sleeping, eating and studying habits. Be aware of friends, style, mood, and behavior changes. Just be aware! The more connected you are, the more connected you will stay.
- Stay smarter than your kids about technology! There is no other solution for the ever-evolving world of tech and social media. Your kid is on Instagram? You are on Instagram, too! Your kid loves Fortnite? You play Fortnite, too! You need a conduit for communication & for safety! This is your “in”!
- Give them room to do it on their own, but provide a safety net! The quest for independence is what the middle years are all about! We want to partner with you in that gradual release! For example, encourage and expect your child to use a daily planner, but know the communications pathways to teachers (or how to check on an assignment) in the event your Comet starts to burn out! Ask your child about assessments, assignments and projects, but stay connected to Skyward to be aware of your child’s academic progress “by the numbers”.
- Follow us on Facebook to keep in the know about what’s happening at school! It will provide an opening for conversation when your child says everything is “fine” and that they did “nothing” at school today.
I am honored to lead this incredible school of high functioning staff members and engaged students and families. I look forward to partnering with you and connecting with your child on this crazy middle level journey! Thank you for trusting us with the care and education of your child!
Working With You,
Angi McAndrews
Principal
Kellogg Middle School
School Supply Donations
Top 10 Reminders
In order to keep our school safe and welcoming, it is imperative that all students following certain school rules. This week, Assistant Principal Mr. Widman reviewed the following building expectations on the daily broadcast of Comet Capsule:
- Keep your locker combinations PRIVATE!
- Use only the lockers assigned to you.
- Clean out lockers regularly to avoid clutter.
- Food is only allowed in the cafe, not at recess or in the halls.
- If you have a physical need for elevator use, see the school nurse. You MUST have a pass to use the elevator!
- All students are expected to be IN classes the first 10 & last 10 minutes of each class. No hall, bathroom, or locker passes are allowed during these times.
- If you are in the hall during a class period, you must have a pass.
- Your backpack must be left in your locker during the day. It may not be carried from class to class.
- If a teacher gives you permission to take a photo or video for an educational purpose, it is allowed. Other than that, no photos or videos. No exceptions.
- Cell phones and ear buds are allowed at lunch & in classes IF a teacher gives permission. Otherwise, they should not be worn.
Please review these expectations with your Comet!
Keeping Students & Staff Safe
- The state requires that we practice tornado, fire & lock down drills several times each year. Given the possible variations of threats in a school setting, staying in place might not always be the safest option. Beginning with our next lock down drill, we will share scenarios for teachers to talk through with students. These scenarios will give students and staff an opportunity to talk through how they would respond in the event of a real emergency in order to be safe.
- If there is a safety threat within the school building, we will be sure to communicate with all families.
- Because medical emergencies happen from time to time, we have implemented a new process for securing the building when we have to call emergency personnel. We will call this response our "STAY PUT", meaning that we have an emergency in the building, there is no threat to students or staff, and we need everyone not tending to the emergency to "STAY PUT", not permitting anyone to move about the building. Once the emergency has been resolved, we will release students and staff back into their regular schedule.
- If a "stay put" is necessary, but there is no threat within the school building, we will only communicate with families of those involved in the emergency.
AROUND KELLOGG
Student Accident Notice
NOTICE TO PARENTS AND GUARDIANS
Student Accidents
Rochester Independent School District #535 does not carry Student Accident Insurance
to cover accidents and/or injuries of students that occur at school or on field trips.
Coverage for injuries that occur at school or on field trips is the responsibility of the
health insurance policies of the parent or guardian.
If you do not have health insurance, and/or wish to purchase a student insurance policy,
please contact your local insurance agent who will be able to assist you. If you wish to
see if you qualify for the MinnesotaCare health program administered by the
Department of Human Services, call (800) 657-3672 or visit their website at:
MinnesotaCare is a publicly subsidized program for Minnesota residents who do not have access to affordable health care coverage.
Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
Offer Free or Low-Cost Health Coverage to Children and Families
If you are eligible for health coverage from your employer, but are unable to afford the
premiums, some States have premium assistance programs that can help pay for coverage. These States use funds from their Medicaid or CHIP programs to help people who are eligible for employer-sponsored health coverage, but need assistance in paying their health premiums.
If you or your dependents are already enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP and you live in Minnesota, you can contact your State Medicaid or CHIP office to find out it premium assistance is available. If you or your dependents are NOT currently enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP, and you think you or any of your dependents might be eligible for either of these programs, you can contact your State Medicaid or CHIP office or dial 1-877-KIDS NOW or www.insurekidsnow.gov to find out how to apply. If you qualify, you can ask the State if it has a program that might help you pay the premiums for an employer- sponsored plan.
Once it is determined that you or your dependents are eligible for premium assistance under Medicaid or CHIP, your employer’s health plan is required to permit you and your dependents to enroll in the plan – as long as you and your dependents are eligible , but not already enrolled in the employer’s plan. This is called a ‘Special Enrollment’ opportunity, and you must request coverage within 60 days of being determined eligible for premium assistance.
The Minnesota - Medicaid contact information as of January 2011 is: Website: https://mn.gov/dhs/
Phone (Outside of Twin City area): 800-366-5411
Phone (within Twin City area): 651-431-2700
Administration
507-328-5817
anmcandrews@rochester.k12.mn.us
Mike Widman, Assistant Principal
507-328-5815
Teri Linander, Associate Principal
507-328-5816
Student Support Services
507-328-5309
Darlene DoBell, 7th Grade Counselor
507-328-5811
Sam Simmons, 8th Grade Counselor
507-328-5808
Sara Rich, Social Worker
507-328-5861
Akilah Barlow, Social Worker
507-328-5861
Health & Clerical
507-328-5813
lodietrich@rochester.k12.mn.us
Sara Gnagey, RN, LSN
507-328-5814
Robyn Davis, Office Manager
507-328-5801
Penny Ginther, Registrar & Attendance
507-328-5810
Kellogg Middle School
Email: anmcandrews@rochester.k12.mn.us
Website: www.kellogg.rochester.k12.mn.us
Location: 503 17th St NE, Rochester, MN, USA
Phone: 507-328-5800
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Kellogg.Middle.School/
Twitter: @KelloggMiddle